Do Head Lice Have Wings?
WouterIf you are wondering, “Do head lice have wings?” you’re not alone. In fact, these tiny insects have no wings at all. Like fleas, these insects crawl to reach a host’s scalp and feed on blood. They also lay eggs, or nits, which attach themselves to hair shafts near the surface of the skin. This is the most common way that humans get these insects. Children are particularly susceptible to head lice because they share many hair-related items.
While some internet sources claim that head lice are black or white, the truth is that head lice are a wide range of colors. These insects blend in with the color of the head and the hair of their host. Booklice, on the other hand, are not lice, and are not transmitted to humans.
While head lice do not have wings, they look like them. They have six legs and are about the size of a sesame seed. In fact, they are similar to dandruff but lack wings. Unlike dandruff, these insects have claws instead of wings.
One of the biggest myths about head lice is that they are attracted to dirty hair. While cleanliness is important, it will not affect the spread of head lice. Instead, lice are spread through direct contact with infected hair. Children often come in contact with lice-infested hair while playing or attending school. It can also occur at gyms or sleepovers. Unfortunately, there are no accurate statistics on the number of head lice infestations in the U.S. every year.
